At a news conference in Barbados, Mr Crawford said he was coerced into making a confession.

Mr Crawford, his solicitor Andrew Pilgrim, Dr Turner, and campaigner Hilary Heath called for the Barbados authorities to have an inquiry into case.

Mr Pilgrim said: "We want a government inquiry into policing. One concern is that the police do not record confessions."

He said there were also concerns from Dr Turner and Mrs Davies about how rape victims were treated.

'Excellent reputation'

Dr Turner, who grew up near Letchworth and holds a research post at the University of the West Indies, said: "I want to see an independent inquiry to look at the circumstances of the investigation."

Ms Heath, a former actress and campaigner for better treatment for rape victims in Barbados, paid for Mr Crawford's defence.

The Royal Barbados Police said it would be commenting next week on the outcome of the case.

In November the Royal Barbados Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin said in a statement: "The Royal Barbados Police Force has an excellent reputation in the law enforcement community and is highly regarded."